Lord, This is the Day...

Ah yes, yesterday was the day. The day that we celebrate the birth of our nation. A mixture of many living in a free country paid buy the shed blood of those who went before us. Many making the ultamate sacrifice that we, you and I might live in a free country.

Yes, at the moment we have all sorts of thing going on with in our borders. Forests fires in our western states. In the east, states with out power...no refrigeration, no lights, no air conditioning in 90 degree tempratures.  Houses crushed, burned out, but you know what? We will surive because we are Americans.

Along with these things that will soon change, repaired, fixed some longer than others. We will have victory bucause we are Americans.

But you know there is a part of American that needs our help. Yours and mine. 

There's that elderly person, our neighbor who could use some companionship or mabe a hot meal or a trip to the store or doctor. And, oh yes that wounded veteran, forever changed perhaps missing a limb or two struggling to get back into "normal" society. Perhaps we could cut the grass and trim the lawn. Maybe even bring a hot dish over to help the family out once in a while to show we care, we appreciate the sacrifice they all gave for us.

Then there is the forgotten ones, our homeless. Men, woman and children...whole famlies with no place to call home.  Have you thought about them this Forth of July as you cook steaks, burgers, and hot dogs? They exist all around us in the shawdow of the bright sun and heat. For them it is just another day of surival. Have you thoght about that?

One day, I heard of a street mission needing volunteers so I went down to help out.  Twenty five years later, I retired from that mission and the post of being the gatekeeper...pastor,exececutive director, ceo. Funny how God works. Certainly wasn't my plan but His. From Aerospace spacesuit designer to working for the least of these.

Come to think of it, you could help out the local mission, Yes you. You could go through your stuff y'all don't wear and take a trip to the the local shelter with it. You might ask while your there if there is something you can help out with...an meal to serve, a mailing to be done. There are tons of stuf you could. morning, noon and night. Reaching out, touching and changing lives for the better.

You know life is more than politics, fireworks, burgers and hot dogs on a grill. Life is giving out of our need...reaching out, touching lives, loving one another. And you know what? it can go on and on each day of the year. That's our true America. Not just one day, but a boatload of small opportunities.

Happy Birthday America, may we shine fron se to shining sea. God Bless and God Bless the USA!